The Civil Rights Wade-In historical sign is an important part of the history of Biloxi, Mississippi…read moreand honestly, was not that long ago in realistic terms. The sign also discusses the importance of the wade-ins in the birth of the Biloxi, Mississippi and the birth of the local NAACP.

Located in the parking lot for the Biloxi Lighthouse Pier, this marker recalls an important battle…read morein the fight for Civil Rights. The marker is accessible and in good condition. It reads, "Civil Rights Wade-Ins. On May 14, 1959, April 24, 1960, and June 23, 1963, the Biloxi beach front was the site of planned civil rights wade-ins demanding equal access to the public beach. On April 24, 1960, several citizens, both black and white, were injured and arrested, including the leader of the wade-ins, physician Dr. Gilbert R. Mason Sr. This series of protests gave birth to the Biloxi branch of the NAACP, major voter registration drives in 1960, and a 1968 falderal court ruling opening the beach to all citizens." Before the beaches were desegregated, adjacent homeowners claimed the beaches as private property. However, Mason and his supporters noted that the beaches had been built in a major project completed in 1953 by the Army Corps of Engineers using taxpayer funds, and so thought they should be public and available to all. The new beaches had increased tourist traffic to the Biloxi area, strengthening the local economy. The effort by local authorities to maintain segregation was supported by actions of the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission, a state agency founded in 1956. It used its extensive investigative powers to spy on citizens and plan economic retaliation against those who were civil rights activists or suspected of being so. On the date mentioned on the plaque, the police stood by and watched as white mobs attacked black beachgoers. It is referred to as "The Bloody Wade-In" and was described by the New York Times as "The worst racial riot in Mississippi history." The marker was placed here in April 2010, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the protests. [Review 14121 overall, 1443 of 2020, number 28 in Mississippi.]

This Mississippi marker is located in the Jones Park area, near the replica of the Ship Island…read morelighthouse. It reads, "12 miles south of the mainlind lies emerald waters and sugar white sand. Site of economic and military conquest by the Spanish in the 1500s, the French in 1699, the British in the 1700s and the Union Army in 1861. Site of Civil War Fort Massachusetts and quarantine station (1881-1916). British headquarters for the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. A brick lighthouse was built in 1853 and destroyed in 1886. The wooden lighthouse was built in 1886, survived Hurricane Camille in 1969, burned by a campfire in 1972, and reconstructed in 1999. Southern terminus for the Gulfport shipping channel. Became part of Gulf Island National Seashore in 1971. Sponsored by Hancock Bank and Friends of the Gulf Island National Seashore." Online, there is more information. It is one of the Mississippi-Alabama barrier islands and was split into separate islands (West Ship Island and East Ship Island) by Hurricane Camille in 1969. In 2019, the US Army Corp of Engineers completed a project to rejoin the two islands. Ship Island has the only deep-water harbor between Mobile Bay and the Mississippi River. During the Civil War, the island was a prison for Confederate prisoners of war and a base for the US Second Regiment, a unit of African-American soldiers. Fort Massachusetts, named in honor of the Union warship that seized the outpost in 1862, is generally open for tours though the organized ferry is closed due to the pandemic. [Review 14598 overall, 97 of 2021, number 91 in Mississippi.]

Had been a few years since we last visited the memorial. Noticed several of the trees were gone now…read more, and the display with all the washed up items from katrina was gona as well. Seems to be more missing, but cant recall. So sad , and cant believe its been 20 years. If your traveling through biloxi , i highly recommend stopping by the monument and paying respects the souls loat and said their are still 3 ppl listed as missing even after 20 years.RIP.....

I think most people have no idea how destructive this storm really was. Causing over 1800 deaths…read moreand $125 billion in damage, it was at the time the costliest tropical cyclone on record. The storm was the twelfth tropical cyclone, the fifth hurricane, and the third major hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record to make landfall in the contiguous United States. Battered by wind, rain and storm surge, some beachfront neighborhoods were completely leveled. Preliminary estimates by Mississippi officials calculated that 90% of the structures within half a mile of the coastline were completely destroyed. The pictures of the coastal casinos - block long buildings! - were picked up and basically launched at the coastline, destroying many 18th century homes and ancient trees. The Bay St. Louis-Pass Christian and the Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge were entirely destroyed. Katrina's surge was the most extensive, as well as the highest, in the documented history of the United States. That is documented here with a post showing the maximum height of the surge. The Memorial stands 12 feet tall, about the height of the water during Hurricane Katrina's storm surge at the Town Green. It lists the names of the 170 victims that perished during the storm. [Review 14185 overall, 1507 of 2020, number 75 in Mississippi.]

Located in the Mississippi Welcome Center, this marker points out some Civil War history that took…read moreplace here. Though why this is "here" is a mystery to me. There is plenty of parking nearby. The marker reads, "In 1860, John Deason, a Mexican War Veteran, organized a militia company here. The "Gainesville Volunteers" entered Confederate service in 1861 as Co. G. of the Third Mississippi Infantry. During the Civil War the unit served in the Gulf Coast region and fought in the Vicksburg, Atlanta, Middle Tennessee, and Carolina campaigns." It was erected in 2000 by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. [Review 908 of 2024 - 107 in Mississippi - 21937 overall]

Gulfport may not be the attraction to the region like New Orleans is to the West or Biloxi is to…read morethe East, but it does have some items that gives it a reason for being! It has the local airport, a Naval Base full of Sea Bees (with a really cool museum), a port, island excursions, fishing, shrimping, casinos and a beautiful white sand beach. Sunsets and sun rises are spectacular. Lots of camera opportunities! This was my second time here and yes, the hurricanes over the last decade or so have hit it hard. Still, the people continue to live here and the community survives. There are some great restaurants with some preparing local Gulf Coast favorites!

The city of Gulfport has a great many attractions, small museums, thrift stores, all very…read moreinteresting. I am usually glad every time I come. Only one time was unpleasant and that was the Cruise-In. The Aviation Museum is a must-see as is the train museum. The historical museum in the historic district is a trove of valuable information. The Fishbone Alley is so very cute and unique. There are so many things I plan on coming back and doing in the future.

Have lived on the coast for close to 20 years and never really took the time to stop and walk. It…read moreis very pretty and a convenient way to get across the I-110 without walking on Hwy 90. You go from the beach side to the casino side all without having to get in your car and move. I recommend you try it whether you've been here forever or just visiting.

This historical marker is located under a shade tree in the parking area of the westbound I-10 rest…read morearea. It is green and points out some of the earliest settlement history of the area. The marker reads, "Graveline. In 1718 this area was settled by Jean-Baptist Baudreau dit Graveline, born 1671 in Montreal. Arrived with D'Iberville at Fort Maurepas aboard the Renommée, January 8, 1700. Prominent colonist - adventurer - merchant." Online, there is more information. Gravelone was at Fort Saint Louis in Old Mobile, north of where the present city is located. He became one of the wealthiest men in the colonyby trading in furs, ships and later cattle and agricultural goods. A couple of times, he would buy a ship and load it with goods that were sent to Vera Cruz, the West Indes or even to France for trading. Graveline also traded frequently with the American Indian tribes in the area. From his children, many of the families of the Gulf Coast are descended. [Review 17349 overall - 93 in Mississippi - 867 of 2022.]

What a cute museum! In the original train depot built in the early 1900s, the original flooring,…read morewalls and ceiling through most of the building. The gentleman working was well informed of the history of the area. This is on the small side, but packed with information, displays and exhibits. There are items for sale. I am sure that if I had more time, I would have gotten plenty of information on other things to do in the area as the guy working was very knowledgeable about the area.